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(No Model.)

0. A. SHIELDS.

PARALLEL RULER. No. 289,457; r Patented Dec. 4, 1888.

aft 15 5x6 3- UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PARALLEL RULER.

SPECIFICATIQNforming part of Letters Patent No, 289,457, dated December4, 1883.

Application filed October 15, 1883. (N model.)

. To aZZ whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, CHARLES A. SHIELDs, a citizen of the United States,residing at 315 A street north-east, Washington city, in the District ofColumbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Rulers,of which the following is a specification, reference being had thereinto the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to new and useful improvements in straight, curved,or irregular devices for drawing parallel lines.

The advantage of this invention is readily seen. It enables any oneusing the ruler, when the indicators are extended, to make lines withgreater ease, celerity, and precision than with rulers now in use.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my device with both forms ofindicators as applied to ordinary straight rulers. Fig. 2 is a plan viewof the gage or indicator. Fig. 3 is.a vertical section on the linexwthrough Fig. 2.

The same letters refer to similar points on the drawings.

Myinvention consists of a straight, curved, or irregular ruler, M,having embedded in each end and at right angles with the ruling edge agage or indicating device provided with a movable bar, A, of any desiredshape, preferably rectangular, having at its outer end and projectingparallel with the ruling-edge a point or indicator, to. The bar A iscontained entirely in the receptacle or box B, which may be made of oneormore pieces, and which has in its top thegroove c, somewhat less inlength than the box B. The groove 0 has centrally through its length thelongitudinal slot 0. Passing through the slot 0, and fastenedpermanently to the inner end of the bar A, is the push-piece 0, setvertically in and at right angles to the groove 0, and provided ateither or both ends with the angular indicator d and d, referring to asuitable scale on the top of the box B on either or both sides of thegroove 0. The bar A fits tightly in the box B, so that when moved to anydesired distance in or out it will, by friction or grooves, be retainedfirmly in position.

Extra extension-indicators (stationary) may be located any desirabledistance from the end of the ruler, if required.

As in drawing parallel lines they are somethe top of each end,respectively, of the box B,

and being fastened permanently in the body of the ruler, as shown inFig. 1.

In practice, when wishing to draw a line or lines parallel with certaindesignated points, or with another line already drawn, theindicator-rods a at each end, or one end and the.

center lateral indicator, are pushed an equal distance out from theruler, and then placed on the line first made, and the succeeding linesdrawn at the front of the ruler will necessarily be parallel with thefirst.

My improvements in rulers are so adapted as to be capable of beingattached to parallel rulers, triangles, or set squares, Tsquares,

eccentric rulers, curved rulers, serrated or waved-line rulers, railroadcurves, irregular and ship curves,and to all other instruments, tools,or articles wherein rapid and accurate ruling or marking is essential ordesirable.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The sliding extension -indicators embedded in a ruler at its ends, orat any desired point, and running out at right angles thereto, with thecase and scales, substantially as described.

2. The combination of the right-angle sliding extension-indicator ateach end of the ruler, with center extension-indicator .mov-

ing to the right or to the left, with their cases and scales,substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES A. SHIELDS.

Witnesses:

GEORGE W. KEMP, Sr. LEwIsI. ONEAL.

